A week passed by and I became quite fond of Ted. I often looked forward to his occasional visits and I usually invited myself to his house. I knocked, if he didn't open the closet door and I would come to know that he was not there at home, I quietly returned back. He strictly told me to respect his privacy and not barge in anytime. I followed his command obediently and the same rules applied vice versa.

Today, I sat on the bed reading John Green's novel, Looking for Alaska. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ted's bored expression. He kept the bowl of cheetos away and got up from his chair. He plopped down on the bed beside me and groaned in frustration.

"Come on, you're still reading a teen book?"

"Borrowed from Poppy. She loved it, so she insisted me to read," I replied and flipped the page. I could notice Ted's gaze on me. I peeped from the book and raised my eyebrow. I looked through my black reading glasses just like my English teacher and muttered, "Quit admiring."

Ted placed his elbow on his thigh for support and pressed his cheeks against his palm. He continued staring and mumbled, "You look good in your pink pyjamas."

"Oh, thank you. I know that though," I lied confidently, though I always thought that I looked ugly in these loose, hello kitty pyjamas, apparently stolen from Poppy.

"And with these nerdy glasses and your hair falling so gently over your cute, little face," He said in a strange, husky voice and pinched my nose.

"Well, Ted... what's wrong with you?" I asked, my voice barely audible. After so many days, I suddenly became conscious about his close proximity. He brought his hand towards my face and leaned forward. My hands involuntarily left the book.

He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and removed my glasses. My breathing stopped as I struggled to not do anything stupid. I didn't know if I had to run away or just stay. If I stay -

"ABBY! Whoa, are you guys making babies?"

"Shut up, Poppy," I yelled and cursed. Ted got up in a flash and before I could explain myself to Poppy, Ted was already in the farthest corner of the room.

"Tebby is - "

"Sweetheart, have you read and seen the fault in our stars? It's er... amazing, right?" Ted cut off Poppy, grabbing her attention to avoid further teasing. I sighed and wiped the sweat that was formed over my forehead. What was going on earlier between Ted and me?

"Abby, you too should - wait. Are those my pyjamas?" Poppy stared at her pyjamas worn by me and I smiled sheepishly.

"No, you did not steal it from me. You witch - "

"Hey, it was ill fitting for you so I took it. What the hell? Ah, fuck. Stop pulling!" I yelled at her when Poppy pounced over me and shamelessly pulled my pyjamas.

"Don't, you'll flash my underwear. Ted is still here!" I hissed but I was so sure that Ted might have heard it. My pyjamas were threatening to fall and I was holding it desperately.

"Are you crazy? Stop raping me. Ted's right here, you pscho - "

"I'm sure he has seen you in less," Poppy said so loudly that I was afraid that even my parents downstairs might have heard it. I saw Ted who muffled a laughter and I could notice a shade of red on his cheeks.

I looked at him for help and since my pyjamas was falling down, already flashing my pink waistband, Ted rushed to Poppy's side.

"Believe me sweetheart, I haven't," Ted said and picked up Poppy as if she was a toy. And as of Poppy, she wiggled her eyebrows as I sat up, pulling up my pyjamas in place.